Saugerties, New York – June 29, 2024 – The crowd gathered around the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium on Saturday morning, June 29, 2024, as the premier event during the second week of the Hits-on-the-Hudson June series prepared to get underway. With show weeks spanning from May through September, Hits Hudson Valley boasts one of the most diverse and exciting series set in the picturesque backdrop of the Hudson Valley. The best horse-and-rider combinations at the venue set their eyes on the prize of capturing the win in the $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix. Two days later after riding Hallilea towards bronze honors in the $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup , Caroline Mawhinney (USA) came close to victory, this time guiding Carsey Z towards the second place finish in the feature class of the week there.

Thirty-seven pairs gave it their all across the Juan Alvarez-designed (CRI) first-round track,  but only a total of nine entries left all the rails in the cups within the time allowed to advance to the short course. The contenders for the jump-off track made up a truly international field and several athletes, including Steven Bluman (ISR) qualified multiple rides to return. Ultimately, only four of the jump-off competitors managed to produce a double-clear effort, with Bluman and Cachemire de Braize taking the top call of those four in the fastest time of 34.24 seconds. 

Caroline Mawhinney (USA) landed just off the pace of Bluman’s leading time to take the second-place finish aboard her own 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding Carsey Z (Carthino Z x Guidam).

The duo crossed the timers in 35.63 seconds, which put them roughly a second ahead of third place finisher Philip McGuane (IRL) and the Evergate Stables LLC’s nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Paso Doble SCF (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Cassini I). 

Final Results – $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix

1) Steven Bluman (ISR) & Cachemire de Braize – 0 / 0 – 34.24

2) Caroline Mawhinney (USA) & Carsey Z – 0 / 0 – 35.63

3) Philip Mcguane (IRL) & Paso Doble SCF – 0 / 0 – 36.77

Source: Press Release (edited) from Hits Horse Shows

Photo: © Hits Horse Shows / ESI Photography

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